Gourmet Coffee

Remember those cold winter days spent in your family’s living room? Maybe you were playing board games with a warm fire burning in the hearth. You may have snacked on freshly-cracked hazelnuts or almonds opened by an old-fashioned nutcracker. Those days don’t have to stay a distant memory.

Why not remember those good times by indulging in a steaming cup of hazelnut flavored coffee. Flavored coffees are an easy way to combine your favorite flavors with your morning caffeine fix. These coffees can also come in decaffeinated versions and are available in a variety of flavors.

I love the selection of small kitchen appliances that are available today.  It surely answers all my simple kitchen preparation needs. Easy-to-use kitchen gadgets, such as the 3 liter deep fryer, quality Panini press gourmet sandwich maker along with the espresso coffee maker are all sure to make having friends over more fun and convenient.

Now, making a gourmet roasted coffee to serve to my guests is as simple as 1-2-3. Same goes in preparing specialty sandwiches with the use of Panini makers all available at this online store.

Some people might think that Seattle, or even Starbucks is where coffee originated. Of course they are wrong, coffee actually first appeared thousands of miles away in Ethiopia. But this wasn’t the modern origin of coffee that we know and love-just the beans. Historians aren’t sure whether or not ancient Ethiopians knew how to harvest the drink from the beans.

We do know, however, that Arabians have consumed coffee since the mid-15th century. At this time coffee beans made their way from Addis Ababa, to Mecca and Medina into the Arabian Empire. It was there that the beans were crushed, steeped in hot water and consumed for their energizing effect.

Although coffee tastes great, like any other crop, its cultivation can have a serious impact on the environment. A great way to limit the environmental impact of the coffee you drink, and the amount of chemicals you intake, is by opting for organic coffee. Organically grown products are grown without the use of harmful fertilizers and pesticides, and are cultivated in a sustainable manner.

By purchasing organic products, you are supporting the farmers who choose to employ “green methods” in their cultivation and reduce the amount of pollution that is caused by irrigation and harvesting. Organic crops also promote sustainability of the soil and water supplies where they are grown, as well as preserving the surrounding wildlife. Organic products may cost a little more, but the extra price is worth it.

Walk into any grocery store or supermarket and you will see organic products available on nearly every product in the store.  The growing demand for anything organic is increasing.  In spite of the down economy, and that includes Organic Coffee as well.

In 2007 the consumption of Organic Coffee in North America reached 84 million lbs ($1B).  Sure, that represents only 3% of the whole coffee market but that’s still a very impressive growth rate of 32% since 2000.

Organic Coffee is now grown in over 40 countries worldwide.  That is encouraging:  consumers have access to high quality coffee grown in sustainable agriculture and sound economic and environmental practices prove to be beneficial to small growers.

Many people love the taste of coffee and the social atmosphere of coffee houses, but just can’t handle the jitters and energy rush that accompanies that high caffeine content. Decaffeinated coffee is a great option that allows people to enjoy the warmth and comfort of a cup of coffee with the intense caffeine rush. There are many methods that companies employ to remove caffeine from their coffee beans.

One of the most basic methods of decaffeinating coffee is by steaming the green, unroasted beans and rinsing them with a solvent that works to remove caffeine. This process is repeated up to 12 times, removing as much as 97% of the caffeine. With over 400 chemicals contributing to the unique flavor of the coffee bean, no matter which method is used, decaffeination inevitably will alter the flavor a little.

Coffee has emerged into a social tool in the United States. If you ask anyone what their favorite Starbucks drink is, I’m sure they’ll have an answer. I’m a huge fan of the caramel macchiatos! But what’s even greater than its taste is they way people have learned to congregate around it; it’s become a symbol of unity. And the best part is, you don’t need designer coffee to make it a social event.

Brew up a batch of delicious mocha java coffee and stand on you local street corner, pot in hand.  Within five minutes of your presence I guarantee you’ll have neighbors galore at your side requesting a taste of that aromatic goodness. And based on how much they drink, they’ll probably bee nice and chatty too. Who would have thought it? Coffee – a delicious energy-infused beverage and a social atmospheric creator all in one.

For all Espresso Coffee beverages, dark roast gourmet Arabic blends are used.  A cup of espresso coffee is intense and memorable:  the cream, the golden broth and an aroma that fills the room.

An Italian Espresso blend has an authentic intense flavor.  The Spanish  blend has a heavy robust flavor.  The Vienna Espresso blend uses a medium to dark roast for the softer espresso Palate.

Are you worried about the affects of Coffee to your body?  The Caffeine in coffee does more than wake you up.  Medical researchers and nutritionists have long touted the health benefits of black coffee.

In moderation the natural source of Caffeine in coffee is associated with a decreased risk of depression, colon cancer and Type 2 diabetes, according to researchers at Vanderbilt University of Institute for Coffee Studies.

The key phrase for drinking coffee is:  Don’t overdo it;  Moderation is the key for health benefits.  According to the American Medical Association, moderation is considered three cups of coffee a day, or 300 milligrams of caffeine.

I’ve always had a tendency to drink my coffee on the weaker side. When making my brew in the mornings I always cut the recommended scoop amount by about three quarters. And if I’m at a restaurant and don’t have any say over how they brew my coffee, I request that they fill the mug half full with hot water and half with coffee. What can I say; coffee has been about its utility and not its flavor in my mind for years.

It wasn’t until I attended my neighbor’s dinner party two weeks ago that my opinion on what constitutes great coffee completely changed. Just after our meal, the hostess brought around a tray of Italian espresso coffee, cream and sugar. After the three glasses of wine I drank that night, I was much in need of a caffeine boost. Not wanting to expose my freakish coffee obsessions, I poured myself a cup, without any water, figuring I’d only have a few sips and be satisfied. But with just one mouthful of this brew, my taste buds hummed with delight; I even went back for seconds.